Rethinking your new Normal as we pay tribute….

This was followed by floods in many parts of the country, just as the clean-up from the fires was beginning to take effect. So many suffered, once again. 

Fast forward then to Covid 19 and the fear and uncertainty that this new virus brought into our lives. Our stress levels went through the roof, old and new fears surfaced and so many of us feared for our livelihoods and our lives. “Can we survive this, was the question we were asking ourselves as we buckled down again trying to take it all in.

And then, 

We watched the murder of George Floyd, a black man, in broad daylight, in front of everyday citizens going about their everyday business, as other police officers looked on and did nothing - for more than 8 minutes! This was so shocking that the enormity of it ricocheted around the world.

And, it was the hair that broke the camels back as a whole new and different aspect of our lives was challenged. 

What kind of world are we living in?

How is this even possible in 2020?

What can we do about it? 

Do we even have the courage to try?

 So many more questions than answers. And the anger, the shame, the unbelievable realisation that this had actually happened.  

We woke up to protests that turned into riots, burning, looting, anger, destruction as people watched their livelihoods go up in smoke, helpless to do anything to stop the carnage, as anger and frustration took on a life of its own. 

Meanwhile, the quiet protestors knelt in silence as the cities burned around them. Police and citizens together sharing a shame that has finally been brought into the public eye in a way that will haunt us forever.

We’ve all been on a roller-coaster of feelings and emotions that have taken us on a deep journey of discovery, self-examination and personal reflection that most of us have never experienced before. “I just want to go back to normal” we secretly say to ourselves as we try to make sense of things.

We’d be pretty naive to believe that ‘when this is all over’ that we will gracefully slide back into our old ways of being and living in the world, a little shell-shocked perhaps, but still intact.  It’s a nice thought, but I doubt very much if that will happen. 

And that might be a good thing, right? If we are truly honest with ourselves.

As you think about that, think about the kind of world you want to live in, and how you can do your part in making that a reality. I think we are beyond the days when we can just leave it to the mysterious “they” to sort it out for us.

You and I are “they” and it’s up to us to begin at home by being the people we want to be, all the time, not just when company is around. To make kindness, caring and loving our new normal with as much passion and purpose as we can muster. A normal that has no place for racism or hatred of any kind.

To begin questioning ourselves when we hear that judging, fearful, or angry voice come out of our mouths. To stop and question that and change it until it no longer exists.

At the same time we need to stop accepting less than the best from others. To clean up our own back yard and keep out those who don’t align with our values.  Let’s design meaningful environments that support us, our families, friends and colleagues in ways that are mutually beneficial.

And let’s create a world where we are thoughtful, kind, caring, sharing and ready to help others who need our help. Yes, I know it sounds a little Pollyanna-ish but is it really? I don’t think so.

With mindfulness, self-listening, self-regulating and bringing our best self to every situation we can collectively change the world for the better over time.

We could start with judgement-free listening, followed by thoughtful responding and the smallest action to make something just a little better for ourselves, our community, our country, and the world we would be proud to live in.

I have a belief that the Universe (God, the Divine, Gaia, (whatever your beliefs)) is giving us a huge wake-up call and we have an opportunity here to make a difference. 

Rest in Peace George Floyd ♡